My engine will not start up why?

1994 LINCOLN TOWN CAR
142,000 MILES • 4.6L • V8 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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RANDALL729
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This has been occurring lately with this car. I start up the car and let it idle for about 20 minutes so the windows defrost. I then try to drive it but it will stall and it will not start up. After about 30 minutes it will start up. This has happened 2 or 3 times now. I have recently replaced the relays under the hood driver side. The car has a new battery and a new 130 amp alternator. Any suggestions about this would be appreciated. Thank you very much.
Jan 20, 2020 at 7:45 AM
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KASEKENNY
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This sounds very much like a crankshaft position sensor that is failing.

I attached a bit of info about this which explains in more detail. However, the basic point is that the sensor gets hot and it fails which causes the vehicle to shut off and not restart. Then when the sensor cools off it closes the circuit again and the vehicle operates as normal until it does this again.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/symptoms-of-a-bad-crankshaft-sensor

Clearly this could be other things but this is the most likely cause.

Let me know if you have questions. Thanks
Jan 20, 2020 at 11:10 AM
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RANDALL729
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I am going to put one in tomorrow. I'm glad it's up top. I didn't realize these things are so sensitive to heat. I may have to get back with you if I experience problems. I do thank you so much. Randall Beard, Pickford, Mi.
Jan 20, 2020 at 2:56 PM
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KASEKENNY
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Sounds great. You are welcome. We are here for whatever you need. Let us know what happens. Thanks
Jan 20, 2020 at 6:13 PM
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RANDALL729
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I will let you know and 2CarPros always have the answer so is why I ask great people like yourself.
Jan 20, 2020 at 9:02 PM
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RANDALL729
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Sorry to bother again. The car quit on me again and the operating temperature was between cold and half way to normal. Could the crankshaft position sensor fail and not be working? Maybe one of the relays are failing.These are the relays on driver side under hood and 5 prong. I put in new relays a short time ago. Any comments would be helpful. Thank you.
Jan 25, 2020 at 6:07 PM
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RANDALL729
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Now the car will not start at all with the engine temperature cold. I tried some different relays but is not making any difference. Could it be now that the crankshaft pos sensor has completely gone bad?
Jan 26, 2020 at 1:11 PM
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KASEKENNY
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Yes. It can cause a stall or a no start. If the engine is cranking and not starting then the crank sensor is the most likely cause.

Did you replace it before and now it is doing this?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/symptoms-of-a-bad-crankshaft-sensor
Jan 26, 2020 at 6:33 PM
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RANDALL729
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I put in the new part I think was less than 6 months ago. I replaced all the relays. I also replaced the the camshaft sensor as well. The crankshaft position sensor at the bottom of the engine must be the problem. I have eliminated the relays as a problem. Has to be what you are suggesting to look for. Thank you 2CarPros Kasekenny1. But I may have to ask more questions about my car to get it running if okay.
Jan 26, 2020 at 8:20 PM
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KASEKENNY
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I agree that the crank sensor sounds like the issue. I included the info about it and the process to do it. They are not too hard on these engines.

Please ask as many questions as you need. We are here to assist. Most of us have complete vehicle knowledge and if one of us doesn't know, others will jump in and help out.

If you have questions related to this topic, just post them here. However, if they are different then go ahead and start a new post. Basically we need to keep each post to one topic so that others can find the issues when they are searching for solutions on their own.

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/new
Jan 27, 2020 at 7:00 PM
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HAROLDPIERCE8213
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the car will turn over but will not start. I have replaced; the fuel pressure regulator, plugs, MAF, crank sensor, cam sensor, temperature sensor, fuel filter. It has me stumped any help would be great. thanks
Feb 22, 2021 at 8:23 AM (Merged)
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ASEMASTER6371
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Good afternoon.

Have you checked for spark or fuel pressure? these two need to checked to see which one is missing.

If you have some starter fluid, spray it into the air filter and see if the car starts and stalls.

Roy
Feb 22, 2021 at 8:23 AM (Merged)
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RENEE L
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Hello HAROLDPIERCE8213,

Thank you for visiting 2CarPros. Here is a helpful link to an article from this site with step by step instructions and pictures explaining the process of checking the fuel system pressure, regulator and fuel pump in less than fifteen minutes:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

Also, here is a link to an article on this site on checking for spark:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-an-ignition-system

If you need further assistance please come back to the site we are always happy to help.

Kindest regards,

Renee
Admin
Feb 22, 2021 at 8:23 AM (Merged)
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FRED CONTENTO
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Will not start in cold weather with either thirty two degrees or if snow on the ground.
Feb 22, 2021 at 8:24 AM (Merged)
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STRAILER
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Hello,

This sounds like a classic engine coolant temperature sensor. What happens is the sensor becomes weak and does not sense the true temperature so it causes a hard start condition.

Here is a guide that will help you see what you are in for when doing the job:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/coolant-temperature-sensor-cts-replacement

Here is what it will be like on your car (below).

Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.

Cheers, Ken
Feb 22, 2021 at 8:24 AM (Merged)
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SMI889
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I have a 93 Lincoln Towncar, 4.6L engine with 80,000 miles. Had no previous problems. Went to start it one day and it cranked as normal and wouldn't start. Could not pull the OBD codes. Have 40PSI on the fuel rail, spark thru the plugs, new crank sensor, cam sensor reads good, no anti-theft system. Sprayed carb cleaner into air intake and it fired and died. I suspect the injector circuit and went to disconnect the ECM plug but the bolt spins and cannot remove the plug. Do you have any suggestions other than the ECM being bad? Thanks!
Feb 22, 2021 at 8:24 AM (Merged)
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TOBYU
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You probably got it fixed by now....but...
You said it had a new crank sensor....Get a noid light and check for injector pulse when cranking....
I bet the crank sensor is bad or the wires going to it have a loose connection or are cut or damaged.
If you have no injector pulse....the most likely is crank sensor but an ecm can do it.
I have a used one that works fine if you need to try one cheap.
There is also a ECM relay in on the driver's fender well.
Three relays together and a diode if I remember correctly.
One is AC compressor, one fuel pump and one ECM/PCM.
Swap those around and then check the "87" terminal of the relay socket for 12v.
Feb 22, 2021 at 8:24 AM (Merged)
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MURRAY MALONE
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My inlet heater core hose ruptured and water came out while I was on the highway. I replaced the hose replaced the spark plugs and wires. the engine will crank but it will not start. I know water got over the engine. I’ve change the CPS Sensor but still will not turn over. what do I do?
Feb 22, 2021 at 8:24 AM (Merged)
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DANNY L
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Hello, I'm Danny.

First thing I suggest would be to clean the throttle position sensor. It's possible it got engine coolant inside the connector when the hose blew. Here is a tutorial showing what is involved for removal and replacement for a mass air flow sensor which is similar:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/mass-air-flow-service

I've attached a picture below of what your throttle position sensor looks like on your car. Let us know what you find. Hope this helps and thanks for using 2CarPros.
Feb 22, 2021 at 8:24 AM (Merged)
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PAUL40
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this condition occurs if the car has not been started during the past six hours as if a vacuum leak occurs. after this length of time can be started by priming thru the throtle body. have already replaced the fuel pump, fuel filter and pressure regulator. also during the past month of trying to remedy the check engine light has not shown.
Feb 22, 2021 at 8:25 AM (Merged)
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MERLIN2021
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Sounds like an injector leaking...but you can try unplugging the MAF on the air filter box, if it starts, the MAF is dirty, or out of range. Pressure leakdown test the fuel system if MAF is OK.
Feb 22, 2021 at 8:25 AM (Merged)
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KAISIBER
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Engine Mechanical problem
1993 Lincoln Town Car V8 Two Wheel Drive Automatic

my car got impounded for being too low, and the tow truck company towed it back to my house, and they punctured the gas tank. well, they had to fix it, and drop the tank, and i went to go pick it up and 1 mile down the road, my car stopped running. it huffs and puffs like its not getting enough gas and it shakes and almost starts but doesnt. the fuel pump turns on, (cuz i thought maybe they broke it when they dropped the tank) the battery is fine, belts are spinning when i try to start, im getting sparks on plugs, has gas, has oil, the little fuel pump reset switch in the trunk never popped up, so its fine, everything works fine! still the car huffs n shakes and just keeps trying to start and wont. i opened the carbs up and sprayed carb cleaner in them and even shot them with a little gasoline. still nothing. what could be wrong? timing belt? or fuel pump? even tho i hear it turning on... please help, its my only car, and i have like $300 to my name
Feb 22, 2021 at 8:25 AM (Merged)
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STRAILER
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hi, its sounds like you lost spark, go to this page for more info.

https://www.2carpros.com/how_to/how_to_test_an_ignition_system.htm

let me know if you do or dont have spark.
Feb 22, 2021 at 8:25 AM (Merged)
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KAISIBER
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i actually took the plugs out and held them while attached and had someone try and start the car, i saw the little spark bolt inside the spark plug gap
Feb 22, 2021 at 8:25 AM (Merged)
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KAISIBER
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i actually got the car started literally for 2 seconds, then it stopped again like it wasnt getting gas.
Feb 22, 2021 at 8:25 AM (Merged)
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STRAILER
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lets check for system fuel pressure, watch this video

https://www.2carpros.com/how_to/how_to_check_fuel_pressure.htm


let me know :-)
Feb 22, 2021 at 8:25 AM (Merged)
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Turn key and tries to start, had in shop twice, replaced a sensor and was not problem, then replaced ICM (ignition control modulator) and bam car started! Brought it home, got in it next day and nothing! No start again, towed it back to same shop. Found new ICM on eBay, bought it took to shop, he popped it in, car started right up, came home, started car every day for four days and it would start, last day let it run for about five minutes and turned it off and went back in about an hour later and nothing! Back to trying to turn over. Everything else is fine or so it was, fuel is fine, starter/alternator fairly new. What could cause two ICM's to fail? We have it stored for winter, so not something to get done immediately but we are going to have to get it fixed by spring. Ideas?
Feb 22, 2021 at 8:25 AM (Merged)
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ASEMASTER6371
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Good afternoon.

It may not be the module at all. There is a sensor on the rear of the transmission at the driveshaft that sends a signal to the module for spark. If the is bad, it will cause this.

It may be that if you disconnect the wires at the module and re attach them, it may start.

Roy

PURPOSE
The Electronic Distributorless Ignition System (EDIS) module's primary function is to deliver full energy spark at a crank angle targeted by the Electronic Control Assembly (ECA) module and to provide the ECA with crankshaft position information.

CONSTRUCTION
The EDIS ignition module is a twelve pin custom microprocessor-based thick film module. Even though each engine is very different in size and structure, EDIS modules for each engine are very similar. With the exception of some pin assignments, basic operation of the EDIS systems for the different engines is identical.

OPERATION
The EDIS module receives input from the Variable Reluctance Sensor (VRS) style Crankshaft Position Sensor (CKP) in order to identify the passing of the missing tooth on the VRS trigger wheel. The module is said to be "synchronized" when the missing tooth is found. Synchronization is essential to the EDIS module in order to track the angular position of the crankshaft relative to a fixed reference and when it should fire the proper coil.

Profile Ignition Pickup (PIP) output is synthesized by the EDIS module using input from the VRS signal. The PIP signal generated by the EDIS module indicates engine speed and crankshaft position to the ECA. The PIP signal is used by the ECA so that it can enable fuel and spark functions and generate a Spark Angle Word (SAW) signal.

Feb 22, 2021 at 8:25 AM (Merged)
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Thank you for the reply, was very helpful, we parked the vehicle in backyard and covered it until spring, however my husband just went out and decided to play with it and he unplugged the ICM and plugged it back in and the dang car started up, it will be good for a day or so and then stop running again. so what can it mean if you can unplug the ICM and it starts but then dies next day or two? Computer issues? Thanks
Feb 22, 2021 at 8:25 AM (Merged)
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ASEMASTER6371
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I would suspect the connector may be dirty or have loose or damaged pins.

Have him check the connector closely. you can get a pigtail to replace the connector.

Roy
Feb 22, 2021 at 8:25 AM (Merged)
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CECILIA PEREZ
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The car turns or well cranks but wont make a complete turn over.
Feb 22, 2021 at 8:25 AM (Merged)
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KASEKENNY
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Hi Perez,

Have you replaced any components? This is a bit of an odd issue if I am understanding it correctly.

When you say it cranks but does not make a complete revolution what happens when it stops? Does it make a noise? Grinding? Clunk?

I think the best course of action is to see if you can get a recording of the issue so we can be on the same page.

Reason is, I suspect you have a weak starter or possibly it is hydro locked. It sounds like when you say it can't make a complete revolution that it is meeting some sort of resistance like moisture in the cylinder that it can't compress. Or it just simply has a weak starter that can't turn the engine over.

Let me know if you can get a recording and we can go from there.
Feb 22, 2021 at 8:25 AM (Merged)
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DAVIDDLW
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hello,
i need help on what to do about my 1991 lincoln town car will not start after i changed the valve cover gaskets and then i degreased it and pressure washed the engine. the car was starting perfect beforre i cleaned engine. did i short out something electrical or get water on a sensitive part?.. any help would be appreciated...thanks..david
Feb 22, 2021 at 8:26 AM (Merged)
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RASMATAZ
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When you turn the key to the on position without cranking the engine over can you hear the fuel pump run in the tank for 5 seconds?

This guide will help us fix it

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start
Feb 22, 2021 at 8:26 AM (Merged)
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DAVIDDLW
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hey this site is out standing, i needed help on my car question and i recieved a answer on what could be wrong and i tried the crank shaft sensor and the wire had come off the connector. my car starts right up..great job fellows. i will recommend this site to everyone i know about getting help on mechanic question..thanks again...david
Feb 22, 2021 at 8:26 AM (Merged)